The Beginning and The End by The Happy Hentai

The Beginning of the End of the Beginning

The firelight flickered happily over the faces of the persons sprawled in disarray around it's circle of influence. It was a warm, humid night. The summer solstice to be exact. It was a night pregnant with possibilities. A night for magic. Many of the villages they had passed had been preparing for tonight's festivities. There were to be offerings and feasts in honor of the gods to promote fruitfulness of the coming growing season. There were also to be more carnal offerings in store which was why they were in the forest instead of celebrating with them in the village.

Sango was polishing Hirakotsu. Miroku was nearby watching her and holding soft conversation. Kirara was curled close to Sango's legs. Inuyasha had run off earlier, saying he had to check something out. No one had commented as all had seen a silvery swirl meander in the still light sky. Sesshoumaru was two trees away in his usual position on the ground. Kagome was being used as a cushion by Shippo and Rin on her sleeping bag. All were damp as they had just finished bathing in the nearby hot spring.

Every so often someone would look their way and think how heartwarming a picture they made. Shippo had been adopted by Kagome a few years prior and they were totally devoted to each other. Rin had always taken to Kagome like a seal to water so she was rarely found away from her. Miroku, glancing at them, smiled as he remembered what had happened three weeks ago. It had been a real crazy moment when Rin, hearing Shippo call Kagome "Mama" consistently, had asked her if it was okay if she called her that too.

Everyone had froze and focused on the pair. Eyebrows rose and lips twitched. Kagome's eyes had widened as a pleased blush painted her cheeks a rosy hue. She fell to her knees and pulled Rin into a hug. "Oh honey, I would be honored but you should speak to Lord Sesshoumaru first." Rin looked over Kagome's shoulder to her guardian. "Sesshoumaru-sama, may I call Kagome "Mama?" I like her because she's sweet and she has good food and gives me warm hugs. She also smells really really good-"

"Rin." His cool voice cut through her diatribe. She quieted and waited expectantly. "Do as you wish."

Rin's eyes sparkled as she hugged Kagome. In a stage whisper she said, "He likes you."

Miroku, peeking at Sesshoumaru, whose eyes had rarely left Kagome, had to agree. He could see how his hands twitched when she bent over and how he stared at her when he thought no one was noticing. Sesshoumaru was pretty good but Miroku was a Master. He smirked a bit lecherously. In knowing thyself one knows one's brethren. A smack brought him back to the present.

"Get your mind out of your loincloth, houshi." Sango frowned at him.

"Honestly, Sango, that was the furthest thing from my mind." His eyes looked earnest yet mysterious in the fading sunlight. He rubbed his head where she had smacked him.

Oddly enough, she believed him. He had been in a distracted mood for the last couple of days now. She wondered what was on his mind. "Hou-"

"Mama, can you tell us a story tonight?" Shippo sounded sleepy.

"Yeah, Mama, can you, please?" Rin yawned, her mouth opening so wide she needed both hands to cover it. Kagome giggled softly.

"How about something different tonight, eh? I'll tell you a poem."

"A poem? What's that?" Rin lifted her head.

"A poem is like a story. It can be short or long and it usually tells about someone's feelings. It can be about the forest, or the water, or whatever you like."

"Can it be about playing tag?"

"Of course it can Shippo." She tweaked his nose and he giggled.

"Can it be about how I'm happy you're my Mama?" Rin snuggled closer to her.

Tears burned her eyes. In all of her twenty-two years she hadn't ever heard anything so heartwarming. She hugged the children closer to her and kissed them both. "Yes, it can sweetheart." Her voice was a choked whisper.

"Good. Will you teach us how to make one?"

"Yes, will you Mama?"

"Of course I will."

"Okay, we're ready for the poem now."

She smiled. "Okay then. The name of this poem is called My Plea. It is said to be a charge written by a shogun with the gift of precognition."

"What is a charge?"

"What is precognition?"

"Well, a charge is a responsibility for care or control. Like when Sesshoumaru-sama tells Jaken to watch over you till he comes back. Precognition is the foreknowledge of an event, usually through paranormal means. Like a witch with a third eye."

"Oooh! Some people have three eyes? How does that happen? Are they born that way?"

Sango and Miroku snickered behind their hands. Sesshoumaru's eyes gleamed in amusement. "I'm not quite sure Rin, but let's just say that they could see things that were about to happen, okay?"

"Okay."

"Anyway, this charge was supposedly given to another shogun that he trusted in the form of a gift of a poem framed as a work of rare art. This was to be a reminder. The words "Remember my plea" were a way to let the second shogun know that he needed his help. This way, when the first shogun unexpectedly sent the second shogun something he valued highly he would hide it without question. It also went the other way around. Now here is the poem.

"There will come a day

When my most valued treasures

Will be thrust at you

Keep them safe for me

Hidden away from my pain

Untarnished by truth

For not all truth

Is meant to see the light of day

Innocence must survive

And when that day comes

Remember this day, this time

Remember my plea"

Her voice was lyrical, mystical and mesmerizing. It was as if she were singing. Sango, Miroku, Sesshoumaru, Kirara and even Jaken sat still in a hushed forest. It was as if time itself had stood still to capture this moment, not wanting to miss a word. Her words wove a spell that entwined about them, embracing them within it's essence, marking them for future reference.

"There will come a day

You will seek with more than eyes

And find the answers

Terror will sound loud

Listen with more than your ears

Solace hides within

Beneath the beneath

Beauty shines unexpected

Discernment is key

And when that day comes

Remember this day, this time

Remember my plea"

As her voice died away there was a sense of expectation in the air. It was as if something was waiting for the final piece to be set into place. Her blue eyes glittered like the rarest of sapphires in the firelight beneath the now dark sky. She smiled at her companions.

"That was one of the most poignant things I have ever heard." Sango's voice was awed and her eyes were glassy.

Miroku blinked back the moisture in his. "Lady Kagome, that is one of the most beautiful poems I have ever heard in my life. I thank you for sharing it with me."

"I'm glad you like it. It's in one of the books that I gave to you." She busied herself settling the now snoozing children in her sleeping bag.

Sesshoumaru sat in silence. He had been moved by the haunting quality of the poem. Such sadness yet such love and sacrifice. Let's not even talk about the trust issue. She was a learned woman of many passions. The things she said and the way she said them made them oh so real. He wanted to take her in his arms and cuddle her, letting her know that he would take of her. Those words made him take a deep breath and stand up.

"I am going to hunt. Houshi, stand guard until I come back."

Miroku nodded and walked over to put his back against a tree.

Sango bedded down and was soon fast asleep. Kagome sat staring at the flames.

"Miroku, can I ask something of you?"

He started. "Of course Lady Kagome, anything you wish."

She smiled slightly. "Memorize that poem."

His eyebrows raised. He hadn't expected that. "Umm, okay."

"No, really Miroku. Let that be a gift from me placed upon the wall of your heart. I have a feeling. There is something about this night, these emotions I have roiling inside of me. Can you promise me that when you hear the words "Remember my plea" that you will heed me, no matter the situation?" Her eyes pierced him. "I need you to do this for me. Please."

"Far be it for me to say no to you if it means that much to you." He resolved at that moment to commit it to memory.

"Thank you. I know it sounds weird but I have a premonition...."

"It's okay. I understand." And he did.

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Later on that night, Kagome took a walk in the forest and Sesshoumaru found her.

He took her virginity beneath the stars to the rhythm of the drums and the moans of the revelers of the solstice rituals.

Somewhere, a wheel spun lazily............